At least three people have died after a highway bridge collapsed in a region close to the Ukraine border, according to Russian emergency services.

The bridge in Bryansk brought down several heavy trucks onto a moving passenger train, with 31 people also reportedly injured.

The Russian Emergencies Ministry said fire and rescue units were attempting to find people who had been travelling on the train.

In a statement posted to Telegram, Moscow Railway alleged the bridge had collapsed “as a result of illegal interference in transport operations”.

Moscow’s interregional transport prosecutor’s office said an investigation had been launched.

Additional emergency workers, as well as rescue equipment and light towers for carrying out work at night have been sent to the area, according to Russian news agency TASS.